The First Ever Wedding at a Brand New Virginia Venue: Thistlerock Mead - SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ALL THE PHOTOS!!

Else and Nick’s wedding was the first ever held at Thistlerock Mead, in Charlottesville, Virginia—and what a magical way to kick things off. Set against a backdrop of wildflowers, mountain views, and mead-sipping in the woods, their day felt like stepping into a different world… one with just a touch of Middle-earth energy. As the first couple to wed at this newly unveiled venue, their celebration was a harmonious blend of personal passion and the meadery's natural splendor. The bride had worked at the Meadery while getting her MBA at Darden, dedicating time and energy to its growth—making this setting not just stunning, but deeply significant to the couple.

A Venue with Heart (and Bees)

Originally renowned for its artisanal mead production and its community engaging events—including vibrant seasonal festivals celebrating Beltane, the Celtic festival of fertility and renewal, and Samhain, the ancient honoring of harvest’s end and ancestral connection—Thistlerock has expanded its horizons to host weddings, offering couples a setting that epitomizes eco-conscious elegance. Nestled amidst rolling hills, it’s a place grounded in sustainability, with over 2.5 million honeybees pollinating an on-site regenerative flower farm called Wayflowering. These bees—and the thriving ecosystem they support—are central to the meadery’s mission of stewardship and connection to the land.

All the flowers at Else and Nick's wedding—bouquets, table arrangements, flower girl crown—were grown and gathered right there in the surrounding Wayflowering garden. The bees made the honey that became the mead refreshing the guests at cocktail hour, and they pollinated the very flowers that filled the bouquets. A perfect little ecosystem.

Getting Ready in Style

The day began with Nick getting ready downstairs in the impeccably designed tasting room. Upstairs, Else got ready in a loft bedroom suite that felt completely tucked away from the groomsmen below.

A Ceremony in the Rock Circle, Surrounded by Nature

The couple exchanged vows within the meadery's distinctive rock circle, enveloped by the vibrant blooms of the flower garden and framed by panoramic mountain vistas. This circle of stones evoked the timeless landscapes of Middle-earth. In homage to their favorite literary saga, the couple incorporated subtle yet meaningful "Lord of the Rings" motifs throughout their celebration. The wedding cake, an artistic rendition of Mordor, stood as a testament to their journey together, symbolizing triumph over challenges and the forging of a united path forward.

Mead in the Forest

Following the heartfelt ceremony, guests meandered down a short path to the forest amphitheater for a convivial mead tasting. Here, they savored the meadery's signature brews, each crafted from honey harvested on-site, embodying the essence of the surrounding landscape. This communal experience underscored the meadery's mission of fostering connections between people and the natural world.

A New Kind of Wedding Venue

Thistlerock's inaugural wedding set a precedent for couples seeking a venue that seamlessly integrates environmental responsibility with romance. Else and Nick's celebration illuminated the meadery's potential as a sanctuary where love and nature converge, offering a canvas for future unions that aspire to be both meaningful and mindful.

A place that’s wildly beautiful, deeply intentional, and full of heart. It’s not just a wedding venue—it’s a living, breathing space where love, land, and community come together.

Wedding Planner: Details and Lace

Flowers: Wayflowering

Venue: Thistlerock Mead

Ceremony Music: Plum Blossom String Quartet

Makeup & Hair: Face Value Salon